Even the most cynical of us can’t deny that something new and exciting is happening. Change is not abstract it is alive and is constant and how we deal with it will define us. Barack has suggested that we own change and move beyond fear. Instead of focusing on how bad things are or have been, it’s our chance to focus on how good they can get and get it done. It’s our chance as a people to go past the issues and focus on solutions.

Once a plane takes off, the pilot doesn’t go to the main cabin and announce to the passengers ‘we made it’, he continues to fly the plane until it reaches it’s final destination when it lands. If all he did was take off and bask once the plane has taken off, the flight would come to a tragic end. During the flight, he’ll tell the passengers when to buckle up, when it’s safe to walk around to ensure a smooth sailing flight.

With Obama on the pilot’s seat and Joe Bidden as his co-pilot, we can safely take our seats and heed to his instructions. We need to remember that it took a lot of work to get him in office and it will take an almost equal amount of work on us as individuals to see his vision of change fulfilled. The changed world is somehow the same world unless of course we decide to sustain the change.

Obama takes office in the middle of an economic crisis. America is at one of its lowest points in history. Which is a source of optimism because when you are at the bottom, they only way out is up. Just like a fireman needs a crisis to shine, so are great Presidents made by horrible circumstances with a combination of temperament and intelligence. Obama has an amalgamation of great traits and this is America’s moment to shine once again with hope and change, as it’s guiding light.

The idea all began when Emeka Okafor mused aloud at ned.com, “While the ICT space has developed a head of steam in some parts of Africa… a ‘Maker Philosophy’ is yet to occur. I would be interested in getting a sense of everyone’s thoughts on a Maker type Faire within the continent… an event where Afrigadget type innovations,inventions and initiatives can be brought to life, supported,amplified,propagated etc.”

This can be dangerous.

Today, along with Afrigadget and the International Development Design Summit - and with a nod from Maker Faire - Maker Faire Africa is moving forward into planning stages for a summer 2009 kick-off.

Stay tuned for more details. let us know what country you are voting for!

The Regional Search in Africa is open to all organizations whose hearquarters are not based in one of the countries where a national competition is already open or planned (Egypt, South Africa).

Having read the criteria for selection, if you believe you qualify as a candidate, please apply by 1 March 2009.

If you think you know someone who should be a candidate, .

We look forward to hearing from you.

contact:  info@schwabfound.org

Let us know if you join the competition…
If you are or know someone who is a social entrepreneur this is one place to submit your info.

For all those who submit add your info on our comment list so that we can offer our support.

]]> http://blackmedley.com/archives/283/feed http://blackmedley.com/archives/280 http://blackmedley.com/archives/280#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:09:48 +0000 Admin http://blackmedley.com/?p=280

Ni Wakati (It's Time!) to start the second chapter!

]]> http://blackmedley.com/archives/280/feed http://blackmedley.com/archives/278 http://blackmedley.com/archives/278#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:51:19 +0000 Admin http://blackmedley.com/?p=278 Akon feat. Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy-I’m So Paid

]]> http://blackmedley.com/archives/278/feed http://blackmedley.com/archives/276 http://blackmedley.com/archives/276#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:25:05 +0000 Admin http://blackmedley.com/?p=276 I’m no expert in race relations, while I detest actions that stem from racism, I also unapologetically enjoy the humor that emerges from these scenarios more especially with the elections that are winding up. After two years, I think it was wrong to be dubbed Race to the White House, it should have been aptly titled Marathon To The White House. Many politicians begun like it was a one hundred meter dash and were caught off guard when it turned into grueling marathon and you know the Kenyan side of Obama doesn’t loose marathons. His performance is such that political pundits are saying Obama is running for the Presidency of the United States and McCain is running just to stop him. I will however give credit where it’s due, John McCain’s journey to being the republican nominee, is one that I admire. He rose from the bottom five in his naval academy class to becoming the legitimate republican nominee for the presidency. As for Sarah Palin, she errr..hmm..**crickets**,no comment. Back to John McCain, in the year 2000 he lost to George W, this year he clinched the nomination. The undisputed journey is Obama’s that causing a new chapter to be written in the books of history.

A teacher in North Texas had to recently apologize to his black students for telling them that they can be anything but President. It’s new reality, it wasn’t too long ago in the segregated south, in Charleston, under Jim Crow laws that blacks weren’t allowed to vote. Now we have the unlikely ascent of Barack Obama - as a candidate, and the Democratic party nominee whose within reach of the White House. The first collectively known Black President, some Americans would differ by saying, his not exactly Don Cheadle black and some Africans would also differ by saying his not the Djimon Hounsou black. We can all agree that the name Barack Obama is unmistakably black.   While his Presidency is not about being black or white but about the fact that what binds us together is stronger than what drives us apart, the common good for our fellow humanity.

A Rude Awakening…

I was recently feasting on some bismati rice along with chicken dipped in sambar during lunch at Hilal, an Indian Restaurant with my friends from Bangladesh. I was temporarily distracted from a conversation that was progressing, when I saw Aishwarya Rai’s beauty consume the screen as she sang and danced. That’s an Indian chick with African assets, anyway, by the time I returned back to the conversation. The topic had shifted to politics and they were despondent. One mentioned the negativity that had consumed all the advertisements. I was quick to point out about two weeks ago how John McCain corrected one of his supporters who wrongly stated Obama was an Arab. “No Ma’am, He’s not an Arab. He’s a decent family man”. It was an impressive turn taken by McCain and the media had a field day replaying the clip to reflect a change of tone on the campaign trail. I equally took delight in that moment. The delight quickly evaporated as the sunlight of the reality kicked in, my friends had Arabic roots within them not only that, they were all Muslims who were decent family people. I could see their despondency, what if McCain responded, “No Ma’am. He’s not a Kenyan. He’s a decent family man” or ‘No Ma’am. He’s not a Christian. He’s a decent family man” or “No Ma’am. He’s not a Jew. He’s a decent family man”. The different scenarios could go on, something that clearly stands out, is the fact that this political season has ostracized both Arabs and Muslims.

I like the question that former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, a Republican, posed to the media, while endorsing Obama who he considered to be an ‘inclusive’ candidate. ‘What If Obama is a Muslim? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?”. Powell proceeded to answer by stating, “No, that’s not America. Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim kid believing that he or she can be president?”

While the clear winner in this election is Joe the plumber, the losers are the Arabs and Muslims who have been detested politically. And maybe one day, we’ll have an American-Muslim running for the Presidency and a teacher reaffirms his Muslim students that they can also one day run for President.

]]> http://blackmedley.com/archives/276/feed http://blackmedley.com/archives/268 http://blackmedley.com/archives/268#comments Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:33:12 +0000 mungo http://blackmedley.com/?p=268 The Awards event will take place on 22 November 2008. Build
up programming on-air on MTV base will begin in early October after the
nominations are revealed. The show will premiere on MTV and partner
stations around the world from 29 November 2008.

Vote for both Wahu and Juakali

The sizzling, star-studded music and entertainment
extravaganza will take place at the Velodrome, Abuja, Nigeria on
Saturday 22 November 2008 in front of an audience of celebrities, media
and music fans. The Awards will take the form of 2-hour TV spectacular,
combining performances from top African and international stars with
award presentations and a celebrity host.

The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain is designed to
celebrate the passion, creativity and artistry of the African music
industry, as viewed through the eyes of MTV viewers and music fans.
This is the definitive poll of MTV viewer’s tastes in the continent, as
the widest distributed music channel in the region.

Conceived as the ultimate celebration of African contemporary music talent, the MTV Africa Music Awards with
Zain will provide a major promotional platform for the burgeoning
African music industry, championing, supporting and empowering African
talent to millions of music fans around the world via MTV’s global
multimedia network. The awards will focus on contemporary African and
international genres loved by the MTV audience in sub-Saharan Africa
including R&B, Pop, Rock, Alternative, Gospel, Hip-hop, Rumba,
Soul, Electro, Funk, Afro Dance, Dance, Dancehall, Kwaito, Kuduru,
Reggae, Afro Pop, Afro Beat, Ndombolo and Zouk.

MAMAS are open to all African artists in Africa or the Diaspora who
have received airplay on MTV base in the qualifying period. In
addition, four categories are open to international artists - Best Hip
Hop, Best R&B, Best Alternative, MAMAs Legend. One category-My
Video-which involves the creation of a music video - is open to
everyone, including MTV base viewers.

]]> http://blackmedley.com/archives/268/feed http://blackmedley.com/archives/262 http://blackmedley.com/archives/262#comments Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:38:56 +0000 Admin http://blackmedley.com/?p=262 Kenya’s Power-Sharing Deal

Africa has embarked on a rough journey of power-sharing where election losers retain their seats while winners are prevailed upon to become premiers. This has been witnessed in Kenya and Zimbabwe. The Kenyan situation involved mediation by the highest diplomat Africa has ever produced, His Excellency Kofi Annan. For Zimbabwe, former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, is still at the centre of negotiations.

The power sharing trend is quite unfortunate. It renders the whole exercise of elections meaningless. In Kenya, Raila Odinga is the executive prime minister. In Zimbabwe, if the talks do not stall, Morgan Tsvangirai is destined to become the prime minister. Remember in both countries, the electoral process was extremely violent and cost the lives of innocent citizens.

What does power sharing help the ordinary Zimbabwean or Kenyan who wakes up early to vote for a socio-political and economic turnaround? If I may give an example of Uganda where majority of the peasants’ children cannot access jobs or quality education; where the people of northern Uganda for two decades have lived in sordid conditions partly because of the government’s indifference; where roads lead to miscarriages because of potholes; where university graduates work for less than $250 dollars a month if they are lucky to get a job and where jobs and scholarships are given on the basis of who knows who and who comes from where. I wonder whether power sharing is the ideal.

True, the contenders in the race may benefit because of the ministerial appointments, but how far will they influence governance? Politicians are policy makers but the policies are implemented by bureaucrats. How will Tsvangirai or Raila for instance influence the trend of job allocation? If there is any Ugandan politician who intends to share power come 2011 in case Museveni loses, please help us.

Voters don’t cast their votes because they love the aspirants. It is  because they feel there is need for change in the status quo.  If I have been jobless for the last ten years courtesy of poor governance, what will I benefit, if the candidate I vote embraces a power-sharing deal?

How come in the United Kingdom or the USA, there is no Labour- Conservative party and Republican-Democratic power-sharing? Yet, with the developed countries people largely get jobs on the basis of meritocracy as opposed to patronage. Assuming, all African countries followed suit, what will happen to the Ugandan workers who fall in the category of the working poor and believe in the political elites and employers to keep them in the wretched conditions? What about the street children who the government in power has no policy to help? What happens to the citizens who wallow in extreme poverty because of misallocation of state resources?  What of the politicians and bureaucrats who embrace corruption as a way of life and the head of state supports them as long as they don’t threaten his stay in power?

Zimbabwe Power-sharing Deal

It is apparent that power-sharing deals cannot change the socio-economic lives of the states in which the hitherto opponents agree to form government. If the country had been embroiled in corruption, poverty, disease, potholes, lack of drugs in health centres, poor education systems, military involvement in elections and mainstream politics, militarization of the police, sale of government assets without accountability, high levels of unemployment among others, power-sharing cannot be a cure. It is a travesty  and an affront to democracy.

Power sharing is first aid but not a remedy for the malady that characterizes African states. It is only a pointer that those who contest elections are also human and cannot resist greed. Those who share power start enjoying the state delicacies while their supporters remain in misery.

Until I am convinced that sharing power can lead to the total overhaul of defective state institutions and structures, I remain dismayed by the notion of power-sharing. In Uganda, politicians are dipping their hands in the workers’ till as the head of state looks on. What would happen to the culprits if Dr. Besigye or Hon. Mao shared power with the current clique of leaders? Will they change the status quo? No. On the contrary, they will be bound by collective responsibility and keep quiet to avoid being seen as dissenting voices against the president’s or cabinet position.

Democracy denotes that there must be losers and winners. And in a democracy, losers lose graciously and winners serve all and sundry regardless of whether or not one supported them.

Vincent Nuwagaba
Political Scientist and Human Rights defender
courtesy of African Executive.

]]> http://blackmedley.com/archives/262/feed http://blackmedley.com/archives/260 http://blackmedley.com/archives/260#comments Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:34:55 +0000 Admin http://blackmedley.com/?p=260 Powell Endorsing Obama

On November 4, 2008, win or lose, Senator Barrack Obama will truly turn the pages of America’s social, cultural and political history.  The contemplation of the fact that Obama’s possible presidential victory through the American ballot box is potentially a few days away is humbling and joyful.

We go back to the historic dateline of Tuesday June 3, 2008 which has become etched in the collective history of mankind as a worthy milestone. “Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another- a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Because of you, tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.” With those soaring words, the history of this day continues to resonate all over the world as Senator Barrack Obama, the savvy, hardworking son of a Kenyan immigrant and White mother, shattered the iron-gates of what seemed culturally and politically impossible. Now, we await midnight November 4!

With only 3 years in the U.S Senate, Obama’s thunderbolt rise seems almost metaphysical and a remarkably unique political moment in America to win the Democratic nomination and became the first African American with a credible, viable and realistic chance of winning the presidency of the United States. Yes, Obama came this far by the grace of God and his creating the most cross-ethnic and trans-generational coalition in the history of American politics; indeed of any modern society.

Ahead of November 4 presidential balloting, America is again, showing itself as a country large enough to uplift some of its very best. Obama is one such person.  Evidently, America continues to have a place for the purposeful and the capable, and has shown a capacity to turn the page of history, however difficult and untidy. Are politics ever tidy? No. After all, it has been long and hard, and sometimes bloody, for persons of African descent in America to have the right to vote until the 1960s.

On June 3, 2008, Obama won convincingly past the “magic number” of 2,118 delegates, by resolutely defeating his hard-charging, relentless opponent, former American First Lady New York Senator Hillary Clinton and the entire bare-knuckle Clinton machine for the Democratic nomination. It made Obama to become the first African American with a credible, viable and realistic chance of winning the presidency of the United States. It is possible, now!

The 46-year old former assistant professor of law soared in speech, again, on June 3, 2008 following his party’s unprecedented nomination: “You chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears, but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations,” Obama told teeming supporters at a rally in St. Paul, Minnesota. The same choice of hopes versus fears is at the crux of the November 2008 showdown between Obama and Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate.

For many African immigrants to America such as me who’s younger than Barrack Obama, the aspiration, strategic value, psychological impetus and meaning of his history-making win of the numbers for the Democratic Party presidential slot are almost immeasurable.

First, it offers the reality that no matter its imperfections, America is still the greatest land of opportunities and possibilities in the world. Only in America can the son of goat herders, the son of an African professional, the son of a Kenyan scholar from the Nyangoma-Kogelo community, defeat the wife of a former president, a sitting senator (Hillary Clinton and other well-known public officials) in a hard-fought, fair contest of will, strategies, ideas and policies. Soon, it may be McCain’s turn….

Second, it offers many developing countries a clear lesson that political contentions are not do-or-die affairs, settled only by guns, missiles and machetes. Recall that only 70 days or so ago, members of the same senatorial districts in Obama’s shared heritage homeland of Kenya, ethnic groups of the same country decided to settle ballot box disagreements in murderous weeks of conflicts. Here, Americans of all races, gender and generations preferred to vote via ballot boxes.

Third, the world is going more towards the politics of progressive, cross-ideological coalitions, and those win over ancient grudges and shibboleths of division. Hence, Obama’s history-making victory of June 3, 2008 –win or lose the November 2008 elections– finds further resonance from his words to those who voted that “You chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears, but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations.” Yes, it was fuelled by their hopes for a renewed, refreshing vigor, a guided, hopeful risk for their children’s future

Despite all the divisive spin, nuanced racist appeals, and sundry Bill Clinton’s ‘Bubba’ fulminations, Americans gathered around Obama with their votes for the most cross-ethnic and trans-generational coalition in the history of American politics; indeed of any modern democratic society.

Fourth, the political-demographics implication of June 3 tally of Obama’s votes among others, is that more Americans sidestep Hillary’s varied mis-speaks and tortured mis-thoughts set on fuzzy math and banal pandering to look towards the Kennedesque-Reaganesque America as a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.

Fifth, the other major meaning of this Obama moment for the world and America is that America offers decade’s old opportunities for which you may never predict its fullness, ultimate value or time of fruition. Recall that when this country offered his father Barrack Hussein Obama, Sr. the opportunities for higher education including attending Harvard as an economist, the seed for the younger Obama’s giving back to America was sown. It was a support which also had major support by individuals such as Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Jackie Robinson, and Elizabeth Mooney Kirk according to the Kenyan Tom Mboya’s archives at Stanford University, California. The visionary, pan-human practical goals of public service endemic to most of America’s university curricula saw the ring and part of that fullness coming together on June 3, 2008 at the arena in St. Paul Minnesota as the 46-year old former assistant professor of law Obama spoke to affirm his win.

Sixth, the June 3 event showed the common human interest and pulling for the underdog. As one who loves to cover rugged but lawful political conflicts, it was interesting for me to follow, daily, the tick and tock of America’s presidential politics where a previously unknown David (Obama) respectfully but resolutely defeated the favored, hard-charging, relentless opponent, former American First Lady New York Senator Hillary Clinton and the entire bare-knuckle Clinton machine.

In ways and means almost reflecting the harmonization of the political, financial and strategic elements fit for a possible, history-making presidential leadership, Obama started writing and turning the pages of America’s history along time ago.

Without any doubt, the June 3, 2008 affirmation of Obama as presumptive flagbearer of one of two dominant political parties in America, when set against the fitting background of the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s ‘I’ve a Dream’ speech dedicated, certainly adds to what I call the ever renewing story of the global brand USA, the refreshing dynamic of America, The Beautiful!

On that day, he said “we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another– a journey that will bring a new and better day to America.”  With those soaring words, the history of these blessed United States added fresh pages, new chapters and new opportunities as the event continue to resonate all over the world.

Obama and McCain’s history-making November 4, 2008 presidential contest will remain a milestone for underlining the singular most vibrant motto for any political campaign in the history of America, the Obama political theology and chant of making the seemingly impossible altogether possible: yes, we can! Only in America!!

By Chido Nwangwu,
Chido Nwangu is recipient of the Journalism Excellence award (1997) and Founder and Publisher of USAfricaonline.com (first African-owned U.S.-based professional newspaper to be published on the internet). courtesy of Africa Executive.

]]> http://blackmedley.com/archives/260/feed http://blackmedley.com/archives/258 http://blackmedley.com/archives/258#comments Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:32:04 +0000 Admin http://blackmedley.com/?p=258 Americans Living Abroad are Voting

“That One,” pointing at Senator Obama, was how Senator McCain referred to Senator Obama during their second debate. Now tell me, if we are expected to be cordial and civil with gentlemanly demeanor to each other (especially members of US Senate; an exclusive club) what took over Senator McCain to refer to a fellow senator in such a demeaning and disrespectful manner?

Senator Obama, a product of enviable educational background, one that rose because of his sheer desire to be a public servant (and not a politician) should not by any stretch of the imagination be spoken at and or pointed at as That One. Senator McCain should redeem his character by apologizing to Senator Obama. In private settings, I wouldn’t be surprised if Senator McCain refers to Senator Obama as, ‘That Boy.’

My father neither lived in the US  nor visited the country but he taught me that in politics, an opponent, no matter the circumstance, should never be demeaned. But in God’s own America where we are informed that we are the ‘Best’, how come those seeking public office condescend to low levels to characterize their opponents using primitive language and comments?

I watch in disbelief how grown ups in America speak falsehood in order to get cheap ovation from their audience. We need to desist from this practice. As the world sees America battle over something that is better done through exchanging views and offering better solutions, America’s standing is lowered further. The world wants to know that Americans can be trustworthy, are contrite and respectful. If we in America can say stuff in McCain’s mean manner, it is obvious we say awful things about others, especially if they come from developing nations.

Senator McCain has shown that under fire and campaign stress, he crumbles and resorts to conducts unbecoming. Had he not held out his character as a cardinal asset, I wouldn’t be surprised. But for someone that sold us prior to now his values and virtues, only for such to be seen as ‘empty’, is unbefitting for the man. Politics should be without bitterness. Politics should be about marshalling one’s positions on issues and laying bare how to achieve them. Let the VOTERS decide.

The stars are not aligned in favor of Senator McCain except of course, we have October surprises. Maybe after this exercise, he should pull back and recognize that in the minority clan, there are men and women of substance who can hold their own. That America hold persons from the minority clan behind and often think they are not capable, is a fallacy of the highest order. While race/ethnic disposition encourages some to label others bad, God the Creator, is not partial and no way in His love for his own unduly rewarded any particular ethnic group with all the goodies. God did not create stupid persons or half persons. But we tend especially in America to look down at people because they come from the minority clan and judge them unduly.

Senator McCain, the first ‘white man’ to experience superior performance from a member of a minority clan in the running for the most exalted office of the land, is getting a shock of his life. I hope other ‘white men’ who may share in Senator McCain’s ways, be put on notice. Minorities are no dumb folks. They are capable. The fact that we are denied a place at the dinner table does not mean we do not know how to hold/use the knife, spoon and fork.

We sure CAN and do know how. Senator Obama has shown that in all manners. As we approach the D-day; November 4, 2008, an epoch day in the annals of election in US, we should remind ourselves that we are not having a Civil War, but a civic and civil exercise to endorse by VOTING that person who will better deliver us for the next 4.

By Ejike Okpa

courtesy of african executive.

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